GDT: 8/10/08 - DET (57-59) VS OAK (54-62) - 1:05 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- The Tigers are impressed with Athletics rookie phenom Brad Ziegler.

The 28-year-old submarining reliever has had an impressive start to his Major League career since joining the A's on May 30. He has started his career with 37 scoreless innings, which matches an A's record for longest scoreless streak with starter Mike Torrez in 1976.

His 37 scoreless frames smashes the record to start a career (25 by George McQuillan in 1907) and ranks as the second-longest streak for relievers in a season. Ziegler trails Al Benton's 39 innings in 1949.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Ziegler's unorthodox delivery has helped pave the way for his success.

"It's rare, and it's a little alarming at first," he said.

Ziegler put together an impressive two-inning stretch in Friday's game. He struck out two and got pinch-hitter Matt Joyce to fly out. In the ninth, he faced an imposing trio: Magglio Ordonez, Miguel Cabrera and Gary Sheffield. But he retired the side without allowing a ball out of the infield. He walked Ordonez, coaxed Cabrera to ground to second and got Sheffield to hit into a double play to end the game.

The Tigers didn't see Ziegler in Saturday's win. They hope they don't see him again in Sunday's finale, since most often, A's manager Bob Geren likes to bring him in with a lead.

Detroit goes for its first series win since July 30.


Pitching matchup

DET: LHP Nate Robertson (6-8, 6.11 ERA)
Robertson ended up with no decision Tuesday at Chicago after giving up four runs on nine hits in five-plus innings, which started the White Sox on their way to overcoming a 6-1 deficit. Three of his past six starts have ended up becoming extra-inning marathons after he left, but his bigger concern lately has been lasting deeper into games. He has worked through six innings just once over his past four starts, and his ERA has risen nearly a full run over his past five outings.

OAK: LHP Greg Smith (5-10, 3.99 ERA)
Smith pitched well against the Blue Jays in his last start. He allowed just two runs on four hits over his six innings. He walked two, struck out four and needed 87 pitches in the outing. Though he left the game in line for the win, Smith eventually received a no-decision, as A's closer Huston Street allowed the Jays to win the game in the ninth inning. Smith has not collected a victory since June 30.

Tidbits

Injured reliever Todd Jones will throw for the first time since going on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation. Leyland would not say if he will give back Jones the closer role back. ...

During a rain storm two hours before the game, lightning struck a scoreboard light tower. ...

Leyland's son, Patrick, recently participated in a professional showcase in Lakeland, Fla. ...

Bobby Seay has posted a 0.92 ERA and 25 strikeouts in his last 18 appearances.

On the Internet

MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes

On television
• FSN-HD

On radio
• 97.1FM/1270AM

Up next

• Mon., Aug 11: Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (8-12, 4.56 ERA)) vs. Blue Jays (RHP Shaun Marcum (6-5, 3.44 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET

• Tue., Aug 12: Tigers (RHP Zach Miner (6-4, 3.57 ERA)) vs. Blue Jays (RHP A.J. Burnett (14-9, 4.62 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET

• Wed., Aug 13: Tigers (LHP Kenny Rogers (8-9, 4.92 ERA)) vs. Blue Jays (TBA), 7:05 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS:

Oakland
Sweeney, R, RF
Ellis, 2B
Thomas, DH
Brown, E, LF
Crosby, SS
Gonzalez, C, CF
Suzuki, C
Barton, 1B
Hannahan, 3B


Detroit
:curtis: Granderson, CF
:placido: Polanco, 2B
:ryan: Raburn, LF
Ordonez, RF
Cabrera, 1B
:sheff: Sheffield, DH
Inge, 3B
:edgar: Renteria, SS
:dane: Sardinha, C

Sunny and 75 degrees on Sunday


NW Winds 10-15 mph


No Rain

beeYOUtiful day!

Robertson's pitching. :puke2:

I'm not watching...

laprimamirala wrote:

beeYOUtiful day!

Send some over here, will ya? Looks like it's gonna rain any sec now.

bobrob2004 wrote:

Robertson's pitching. :puke2:

I'm not watching...

i KNOW....

bobrob2004 wrote:

laprimamirala wrote:

beeYOUtiful day!

Send some over here, will ya? Looks like it's gonna rain any sec now.

You should clear out pretty soon!

It's cold outside.... it's like 62 or something.

Definitely autumnal!
I hate it though, because that means baseball is drawing to a close...

Oh no, game starting soon.... I think I might not watch it. I am watching rowing olympics.

Starting line-ups?

I don't get how Matt doesn't get to play. he did really awesome after he came in last night.

I'm going to the hospital. GO TIGERS.

bye. Hope your grandpa is feeling better.

Top of 6th

1-0 on a Granderson homer in the 5th

Ellis -

Thomas - flies out

Brown -

:nate: 74 pitches - 50 for strikes.

Come on Tigers, you must get more runs, for a safety net!

Street pitching

walk

starting to rain

:edgar: sigles

:dane: sac bunt - runners advance

:curtis: walk - bases loaded - 1 out

:placido: rbi single

2-0

:ryan:

2 rbi single!

4-0

Pitching change - Devine replaces Street

batting with 2 outs and runners on 1st and 2nd